Chancellor and Chapel Hill mayor encourage students to vote early, vote often and get your voice heard

Before they voted publicly at Chapel of the Cross Thursday, Chancellor Carol Folt, Mayor Pam Hemminger and student government representative Wilson Sink talked about why going to the polls is so important.

“I can remember actually the very first time that I voted and the long, long, long line I stood in waiting to vote but, it meant a lot to me to have a chance to vote,” Folt said.

“So, I don’t know how many of you this might be your first vote, but congratulations to you on that — it’s really exciting.”

Folt thanked the people working at the polls and the officials running for office, while also acknowledging the work students have done to get people out to vote.

“I’m looking around and seeing balloons and I think to myself, ‘Isn’t it true, and maybe it’s summer, but whenever you want to feel really happy and excited we often put on red, white and blue,’” Folt said.

“I think there’s a reason for that, but I gotta say I especially like red, white and Carolina blue.”

Hemminger urged young voters to get to the polls so their voices can be heard, whatever those voices are.

“Let’s get more and more from that age group that we don’t hear enough from to help us make North Carolina a better place for everyone,” Hemminger said.

Sink worked with administrators and the University over the past month to organize the event.

“It’s incredibly important for students to voice their opinions and I think it’s student government’s job to make sure that student voices are heard and the most direct way to do that is through voting,” Sink said.

Hemminger said North Carolina has become more diverse and wants to show that spirit by getting young people who don’t usually come out to vote, to vote.

“Pick three friends,” Hemminger said. “Ask them where they’re voting, when they’re voting — don’t ask them how they’re voting. Just tell them to go vote.”

In conjunction, a March to the Polls event in the Great Hall of the Student Union on Thursday afternoon featured live music and food, followed by a literal march to the polls.

The event was hosted by NCPIRG, the Executive Branch of UNC Student Government, the Graduate and Professional Student Federation, College Republicans and Young Democrats.

Taylor Moss, organizer for the NCPIRG chapter on campus, said they have done marches in the past, but none this big.

The event featured musical acts from The Love Language, See Gulls and Mac McCaughan of Superchunk.

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